During the annual election of board officers, the Wahzhazhe Elections Board voted for Shannon Lockett to continue serving another year as chair and Terry Hazen will continue as vice chair.
Lockett and Hazen, both of Fairfax and the Grayhorse District, will serve in the officer posts for the remainder of the 2023 fiscal year. In the event of Lockett’s absence during scheduled meetings, Hazen will serve as acting chair.
On Dec. 13, the two election board members, along with third voting member Belle Wilson and alternate members Anita Fields and Fred Byers, met and discussed the officer elections before the decision.
“Not that it would be impossible, but I am right here, I’m perfectly willing to do it,” Lockett said as they mentioned board member duties, which include providing signatures for board business items. Wilson nominated Lockett for the chair post, which received a 3-0 vote.
Wilson, who lives in Texas and comes from the Hominy District, attended by phone as did Lockett, Hazen and Fields during the meeting. “I’m perfectly fine being a member,” Wilson said as they discussed the vice chair post before a vote.
Lockett nominated Hazen for vice chair, which also received a 3-0 vote.
“Belle will be our distinguished member with Anita and Fred as our wonderful alternates, I’m very happy to have all of you, so thank you everyone for continuing to serve, I really appreciate it and I think (Election Supervisor) Alexis (Rencountre) and (Assistant Election Supervisor) Courtney (Piearcy) do as well,” Lockett said afterward.
According to the Osage election code, an election board member shall recuse him/ herself from board service for that election and an alternate board member shall serve according to provisions of the election code in the event a candidate files who: is an immediate family member of a board member; lives with a board member; or is a partner in a business concern with a board member.
The next Osage Nation General Election will be held in June 2024 when six of 12 Congressional seats will open with each individual to serve a four-year term.
The Wahzhazhe Elections Board meets once monthly and during special and emergency meetings if needed.
For more information on the Nation’s elections or to register or update addresses for voting, and to request absentee ballots, contact the Election Office toll-free at (877) 560-5286 or visit its website at www.osagenation-nsn.gov/what-we-do/elections
